Fenerbahce Makes Worldwide Statement With Carlos Deal

Fenerbahce Makes Worldwide Statement With Carlos Deal
By Nathan L. Redd

When Fenerbahce agreed to terms with Roberto Carlos on Tuesday, it was more than just a signing to bolster the defense; it was a statement to the world. Fenerbahce means business. Aziz Yildirim and the Fener board have ambition, and they aren't afraid to show it. Rather than drift into European apathy, Fenerbahce have grand plans to become UEFA Champions League title-holders. There are two differences between them and other clubs who say this, and those differences are money and ambition. While other clubs talk about gaining European glory, Aziz Yildirim and Fenerbahce are out actually trying to achieve it.

Roberto Carlos is not the world's greatest player. Sure, there are critics who think signing a 34-year-old is not a move for the future. However, he is still one of the best wingbacks in futbol, and his legacy with Brazil and Real Madrid is secure. The biggest coup in signing Carlos, however, may have been spoken of by Carlos himself. When talking of his deal on FB TV, Carlos indicated that he had offers from English and Italian clubs, but turned them down to sign with Fenerbahce. It has been reported that Chelsea, the club with bottomless pockets, was one of those clubs. When the news hit the rest of the world, everyone saw that Carlos turned down English and Italian powers to sign with Fenerbahce. Why would he do this? Because he wanted to. A conversation with Aziz Yildirim can influence a footballer that much. So can a visit to Sukru Saracoglu. When Carlos sees the reception he'll receive from Fenerbahce fans around the world this fall, he may ask to sign a lifetime contract.

Fenerium was cranking out Roberto Carlos shirts before the news hit the message boards. Fans were in line to buy tickets for the new season on Wednesday. Just over a week after the end of the season, the Fenerbahce fan base is energized. Aziz Yildirim has the world's eyes on Kadikoy in early June, and that is what makes him a great president. Rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas just hired new managers, but managers don't sell tickets. Brazilian superstars do. They also grab headlines, and that is something Fenerbahce is poised to do during this transfer season. Aziz Yildirim and the Fenerbahce board realize this, which is why they are creating "Rio de Janeiro East" in Kadikoy.

After a championship season and a centennial year, many clubs would sit back, take a breath, and celebrate. But minutes after Fener's last game against Ankaragucu, the first thoughts in Aziz Yildirim's mind were likely about how to improve this team. He knows that many of the players' contracts are up, including the "in-great-demand" Tuncay Sanli. The Roberto Carlos deal, as indicated by Hurriyet editor Emre Kazilkaya, may send a message to Tuncay: stay in Turkiye and achieve European success. Aziz Yildirim is building a European power in Istanbul. The Roberto Carlos deal may just be the first brick in the wall of Yildirim's own Topkapi Sarayi.